Merry Christmas to Y'All...

This year our Christmas was simply magical...

Christmas Eve we were up early planning our last minute shopping and Christmas menu (as last minute seems to be my forte lately). Riley was my little elf in disguise, up bright and early helping me tackle a few last minute stops before meeting Daddy and Zachary for lunch. She even partnered with Daddy to conquer the mile long grocery list, which included everything needed for baking fresh thumbprint cookies for you know who...

and all of the yummy ingredients for our holiday dishes. Zach and Riley both loved the homemade spaghetti bolognese for Christmas Eve dinner (Don't you love Z's choice of holiday dinnerware? Whatever it takes...as long as he eats!)

After an incredibly long day of non-stop action, it was time to wind down and prepare for sugar plum filled dreams. Riley was tickled pink with their new Rudolph jammies and the Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman DVD.

It was nice to be able to curl up together as a family and watch the all time classics.

One last mission before hitting the hay...goodies for good old St. Nick

and a sprinkling of goodness for the reindeer.

Christmas morning...Riley and Zachary both made the nice list! Ry was up first, so snuggled up with us to watch another round of Rudolph.

Zach didn't sleep as late as usual, which didn't give me time to have the perfect Christmas breakfast on the table, but still had time to make the sausage balls and put together some fresh fruit. After finishing up Rudolph, the kids were finally ready to check out their loot.

Our day was absolutely perfect...lots of playtime, followed by naps, and Skype time with families.

We are truly blessed!

Note to self for next Christmas..Perhaps find an alternative activity for Riley in lieu of assisting with the holiday shopping...especially when you want to surprise the recipient! Yes...our sweet little elf was not only a brilliant helper, but also a brilliant spoiler of surprises...too funny not to share...

Thursday evening, when driving home, Riley announces: "Mommy, you're getting clothes for Christmas...Daddy bought you a pretty red dress, with twirlies and lots of sparkles" (red dress...aka...lingerie)! Me: "Really???" Riley, now whispering: "It's in a secret hiding spot, but we can sneak a peek, yeah, we can peek, shhhh!"

Saturday after we bought JD's gift, we practiced how if Daddy asked what he was getting, we would say..."It's a secret". Sweet thing just got so excited when out grocery shopping with just Daddy that she again spilled the beans, but in the most creative way. (Of course, I am sure Daddy egged it on!) Riley making sword fighting sounds and motions with her hands, tells her Daddy: "We are going to sword fight", then starts singing some made up Wii song. JD's deduction...Gee honey...did you buy me a Wii???

Hope your holidays were as full of surprises as ours.